1. What is ART Adherence?

ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) adherence measures how consistently a patient takes their prescribed HIV medication. It's calculated as the percentage of doses taken versus doses prescribed over a specific period.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the adherence formula:

Where:

• \( Taken \) — Number of doses actually taken
• \( Prescribed \) — Number of doses prescribed

Explanation: The equation calculates what percentage of prescribed doses were actually taken by the patient.

3. Importance of Adherence Calculation

Details: High adherence (>95%) is critical for HIV treatment success, preventing drug resistance, and maintaining viral suppression.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of doses taken and prescribed during the same time period. Both values must be positive numbers, with "Prescribed" greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered good adherence for ART?
A: ≥95% adherence is generally recommended for optimal viral suppression in HIV treatment.

Q2: How is adherence typically measured clinically?
A: Through pill counts, pharmacy refill records, self-reports, and electronic medication monitors.

Q3: What time period should be used for calculation?
A: Typically 1-3 months, but can be adapted based on clinical needs and monitoring frequency.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This simple percentage doesn't capture timing of doses or patterns of missed doses which may also affect treatment outcomes.

Q5: How can adherence be improved?
A: Through patient education, reminder systems, addressing side effects, and simplifying regimens when possible.